The United States military struck a commercial vessel carrying an Indian crew with two Hellfire missiles in the Gulf region [1, 4].
This escalation occurs amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, placing neutral commercial shipping and foreign crews in the line of fire. The incidents have triggered a diplomatic rift between New Delhi and Washington.
Over a 72-hour period in early June 2024, three commercial ships with Indian crews were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters near Oman [1, 2, 3]. These attacks resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers [1, 4].
A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson said, "The United States admits to hitting the ship with two Hellfire missiles" [1, 4]. The U.S. said the strikes were part of its operations in the region [1, 2].
In response to the strikes, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, "India summoned Jason Meeks, the United States Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, to lodge a formal protest" [3]. The Indian government is seeking accountability for the loss of life, and the targeting of commercial vessels.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said, "We are closely monitoring the situation" [3].
The attacks happened during a window of increased military activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy and trade. While the U.S. maintains its operations are necessary for regional security, the impact on non-combatant crews has raised concerns regarding the safety of international maritime corridors [1, 2].
“The United States admits to hitting the ship with two Hellfire missiles”
The targeting of commercial vessels with Indian crews highlights the volatility of the Strait of Hormuz during U.S.-Iran confrontations. By lodging a formal protest, India is signaling that it will not overlook the collateral damage of U.S. military operations, potentially complicating maritime security cooperation between the two allies.
